Car Talk-Any Clicks or Clacks Out There?

[johnallg]

I am in need of new tires, and I want good responsive handling but I don't want road noise. My 2004 Impala came with Goodyear Eagles on but they are so dang noisy they are irritating. Anyone have good suggestions? Pirelli? Michelin?

[jps]

I love the ride and handling of the Michelin Hydroedge tyres (I just became British!) on my CR-V. Toatally transformed the handling and they are great in the snow we get here.

[johnallg]

How are they for noise? I have put up with these noisy tires for almost 42000 miles and want relief!

[charlyg]

I have always thought Michelins were stiff and loud(thus they last longer). I would not have guessed that the Eagles would be. Of course my info is a few years old.

I dwive big twuck now!!!! Quiet is not in the formula!

PS - John, I have another SX jazz pup if you need another stock one. I am going to put my other SX stock jazz in the P/J. I will be selling the SD SB3 and stacked jazz. They are just too hot for me.

[soundmasterg]

Michelins are some very good tires, but their price reflects that. I've tried Yokohamas, Kumhos, BF Goodrich, Falken, and Pirelli, in addition to the Michelins. In order of preference if money is no object:

Michelin
Pirelli
BFG
Kumho
Falken
Yokohama

If money is an object:

Kumho
BFG
Pirelli
Michelin
Falken
Yokohama

The Pirellis are usually very quiet, but that is also because they are soft and tend to wear faster. If you don't mind replacing tires a little more often, the Pirellis are great. Kumhos start out very quiet and perform well but the rubber gets hard quickly and they tend to get noisy slightly past half wear. Yokohamas suck and I'll never use them again.

[jps]

I have no complaints about their sound but your preference may be different, just like stereo speakers, some like big boxes, some like flat panels (me).

I bought them primarily for their excellent performance, as that is most important to me. The original tires (I'm Amerikan again) were terrible in the snow and rain, lots of hydroplaning and sliding around. The Hydroedge are rock solid and as soon as I drove away from Costco, where I got the tyres (British again), I could feel the better tracking and turn in when steering. Good performance translates into safety, keep that in mind.

[wints]

Michelin tyres are consistently the best for many different scenario's and reassuringly expensive. Subjective opinion of course...

I have Pirelli's that came with my car, but when they wear out (and that will be sooner rather than later with these..) I'll be looking for some nos XWX'S....

[jps]

...but when they wear out (and that will be sooner rather than later with these..) I'll be looking for some nos XWX'S....

What, do you have a '60s Ferrari?

[johnallg]

Thanks all for the imput. I have spent the time reading owners reviews of mostly Pirelli, Michelin, and Bridgestone, paying attention to handling (Michigan - our old slogan was water-winter wonderland for a reason), noise, then wear. I am happy if I get 35-40k miles on a set of tires, so softer/quieter is good as long as they handle. As to tires that harden over time (Glenn's Kumhos) I've found they will handle terribly on snow then. I am looking in the $100-145 range, if it gets me quieter!! There is a set of Pirelli P3000 ($99 a tire locally) tires that were rated by owners really good for handling in rain/snow and being quiet. The higher performance P4000 ($145) sacrifice quiet to add that performance, and that is in high speed cornering. I don't need that as much anymore with no trips to DC on an almost bi-weekly fall basis like it was for 4 years.

[incubus2432]

I am happy if I get 35-40k miles on a set of tires.....

I must be getting defective tires......I'm only getting about 1500 miles on mine before they are bald. Maybe I'll try changing brands.




Seriously....check tire reviews at http://www.tirerack.com . I have always found the user reviews there very helpful.

[wints]

...but when they wear out (and that will be sooner rather than later with these..) I'll be looking for some nos XWX'S....

What, do you have a '60s Ferrari?

A 365 GTB/4 would be nice Jeff, but it's my 73 450 SEL that should have them....

[scotty]

Ive always went with Bridgestone for the van and my car. Good wear long lasting

[sir_andrew_of_left_coast]

I love the ride and handling of the Michelin Hydroedge tyres...

+1

[johnallg]

Thanks again, all. Brian, I think your problem is obvious! And thanks for the link! More reading to do...

[notviceversa]

I love Bridgestone's RE040s. They stick like no other. They are very predictable too. If and when I want to bring the back out, I can and can do it with confidence. I am a very spirited driver. I have took turns I never though possible with these tires. They are pretty good in the rain too for being summer tires.

I don't know if my comments help or not, but I just wanted to get in on the car talk.